Group Violence Reduction Strategy in New Orleans
Axios
Policing
Problems addressed
Homicides
Armed violence
Effectiveness

Effective

.

.

.

.

.

Effective

Want to know more about this classification? Check out our methodological manual.

Life periods served
People of all ages
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a focused deterrence strategy to reduce gang violence and homicides, in which the New Orleans Police Department conducts informational sessions targeting gang members.
During the sessions, the police informs gang members of the most severe penalties if future involvement in violent actions is detected. Participants are asked to pass this information on to other members of the group.
During those notification sessions, the police also provides information on access to social services in the territory in order to monitor those individuals.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the strategy helped to reduce homicides in general, homicides and assaults with firearms, and homicides among gang members. The authors developed a quasi-experimental study with a before/after evaluation. They included municipalities with similar homicide rates registered in the period from 2008 to 2013 [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Corsaro, N., & Engel, R. S. (2015). Most challenging of contexts: Assessing the impact of focused deterrence on serious violence in New Orleans. Criminology & Public Policy, 14(3), 471-505.

Information source